LeRoy Patrick Depperschmidt, was called home March 19, 2017. Rosary, 7 p.m., Thursday, March 23; Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Friday, March 24, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

LeRoy was born on March 16, 1944 in Hays, Kansas, to Vincent and Stevana (Weigel) Depperschmidt. He graduated from Schoenchen High School. On September 17, 1966, he married Mary Ann Giesick in Liebenthal. He was a Knights of Columbus member and a born seller where he touched many peoples’ lives and was devoted to his customers.

After moving to Wichita he worked for several auto dealers until he retired. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and his family was his greatest love. God has you at home in his arms and we are blessed to have you in our hearts. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann; daughters, Michelle (Gary) Thornton, Stephanie (Rick) Kultgen, and son, Gregory (Tina) Depperschmidt, all of Wichita; grandchildren, Crystal (Adam) Thornton, Gage Thornton, Casie (Troy) Davis, Joshua (Kaylea) Kultgen, Madison Cooley, and three great grandchildren with the fourth on the way. LeRoy is also survived by brothers, Raymond, Lonnie and James; sisters, Rita (John) Oborny and Cora (Jerry) Knipp; sisters-in-law, Karen Just and Beverly Ruder, and brother-in-law, Robert (Norma) Giesick.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.

Dorothy M. Reese, 93, formerly of Fairbury, NE, passed away March 20, 2017 in Hays, KS.

She was born April 18, 1923 in Lincoln, NE, to Basil & Marguerite (Munson) Boyd.

Survivors are Son: Fritz & Pat Reese of Jansen, Daughters: Patricia & Dave Bauer of Crete, Katherine & Dave Baker of Denver, CO., Carolyn & Ted Scherbarth of Fairbury, Rebecca & Glenn Diehl of Hays, KS., Elizabeth & R.C. Jordan of Hays, KS., 14 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren.

Services will be at 2:00 pm Friday March 24, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury, with Pastor Charles Schmidt officiating. The family will greet friends Thursday March 23rd from 6:30 to 8:00 pm Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury.

Burial at Grace Lutheran Cemetery-rural Gladstone. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Munjor, Kansas – Mildred M. Klaus, age 77, died Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society of Ellis.

She was born August, 17, 1939, in Munjor, Kansas to Nicholas and Louise Helena (Befort) Klaus.

Mildred was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Munjor, Kansas. She lived at home until moving to the Good Samaritan Society of Ellis. She enjoyed coloring books, snacks, holidays, receiving gifts and the color red.

Survivors include one sister, Elsie Dreher and husband, Ernie, Hoisington, KS; one sister-in-law, Theresa Klaus, Victoria, KS; several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dean Klaus and Kenneth Klaus; two sisters, Betty Schaffer and Patty Beakey.

Services are at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 25, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Munjor, Kansas. Burial in St. Francis Cemetery Munjor, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Munjor, Kansas.

Memorial to the Good Samaritan Society of Ellis. Condolences can be left by guestbook at
www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]

Elden Merrill Anderson was born June 22, 1928, in Decatur County, Kansas, to Carl A. and Olga (Olson) Anderson. He passed away Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 88.

Elden was reared on a farm located in Sappa Township of Decatur County. He attended Logan country school, graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1946, and graduated from Kansas State University in 1950 with a degree in Agriculture and Applied Science.

On October 4, 1952, Elden was united in marriage to Detta Faye Bryan at the Herndon Covenant Church, rural Herndon, Kansas. They lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, one year while Elden served in the United States Army Signal Corps at Fort Bragg. They then made their home on a farm in Sappa Township west of Oberlin for most of their married life. Two sons blessed their union, Richard and Gary, along with a daughter-in-law, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Elden was very devoted to and proud of his family. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s school and community activities over the years.

Elden grew up farming alongside his father and brother. After returning from the service, he continued to farm and ranch until retiring in 2009. Elden was active in the Herndon Covenant Church and Soil Conservation Board. He enjoyed K-State football games, traveling, leather tooling, wildlife conservation and bird feeding.

He is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law, Richard and Maureen Anderson and Gary Anderson, all of Oberlin; one sister, Gertrude Anderson Myers of Ontario, Ohio; sister-in-law, Norma Anderson of Oberlin; four grandchildren, Nicholas Anderson (Stephanie), Samantha Anderson (Adam Lackey), Christopher Anderson and Gabriel Anderson; two great-grandsons, Bryan and Cole Anderson; in addition to other family members and friends.

Elden was preceded in death by his wife, Detta on January 10, 2017; parents; and one brother, Gordon Anderson.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, March 22nd at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home in Oberlin with Rev. Paul Babcock officiating

Burial: Oberlin Cemetery

Memorial: Elden Anderson Memorial Fund

Visitation: Tuesday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Wednesday after 8 a.m.

Goodland, Kansas, resident Brian Callahan, 55, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at his home in Goodland.
 
Brian was born on November 5, 1961 in Hays, Kansas to Ron and Ernalea (Bennett) Callahan. He graduated from Ogden High School in Ogden, Iowa in 1980.
 
On December 21, 1991 he married Mary K. Martin in Fort Lupton, Colorado. Brian was a truck driver most of his life, working for Amoco, Callahan Transport, and most recently Agro-Liquid. Brian was an avid hunter and fisherman and took great satisfaction in out-shooting and out-fishing anyone he was with, but always made sure that everyone had a good time. He enjoyed spending summers camping at the lake with family and friends, bowling, playing pool, playing cards, and he cherished the time that he got to spend with his granddaughters.
 
Brian was preceded in death by his dad Ron, his mother-in-law Irene Martin, and his father-in-law Ray Martin.
 
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary, of Goodland, KS, three kids: Trista Zimmerman and her husband Mike of Goodland, KS, Brett Lalicker and his wife Christine of Greeley, CO, and Sydni Callahan of Goodland, Kansas. He also leaves behind his mother Ernalea of Edson, KS and 4 sisters: Dawnvolynn (Kevin) Callahan of Tyler, TX, Rawnda Pierce of Scottsbluff, NE, Wendy (Rusty) Fritz of Edson, KS, and Vicki (C.J.) Callahan of Greeley, CO. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Lexi and Brynlee Zimmerman, sister-in-law Connie Moore of Aurora, CO and brother-in-law Michael Martin of Fort Lupton, CO along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 1:30 PM MT at the Goodland Church of Christ with Pastor Brent Flanders officiating. There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be designated to NWKS Hospice Services, Youth Skills Day or to the Hope Foundation, and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Service arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, Goodland, KS.

Virgil Joseph Leiker was called home peacefully to be with our Lord on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the age of 82. He was born October 28, 1934 in Munjor, Kansas to Martin and Bridget (Burgardt) Leiker. He was one of seven siblings, a brother and five sisters. His education included 4 years at St. Francis Seminary in Victoria, Kansas. Virgil faithfully served our country in the Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1956. In May of 1962, he married Dianna M. Tremblay of Damar, Kansas at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas. The couple was blessed as they started a family in June of 1963 with the birth of Virgil Joe, followed by a daughter, Vicki in 1965, Damon in 1967 and Darien in 1969.

Virgil was a dedicated employee for over 28 years for Betts Baking Company as a route salesmen in Oakley, Kansas. In 1990 Virgil retired and he and Dianna returned to Hays to begin their next chapter in life. They explored many parts of the United States while traveling in their RV. They celebrated their commitment to each other by renewing their vows at their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012. One of Virgil’s favorite past times was fishing with family and old friends most anywhere, but especially in central Kansas. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed the many hours he spent working on his lawn or happily tinkering in his work shed. Virgil was a devoted fan of the Kansas City Royals and the Jayhawks.

Virgil leaves behind his wife of over 54 years, Dianna; two sons; Virgil Joe of Hays and Darien and wife, Claudette of Pleasanton, TX; daughter, Victoria Wojciechowski & husband, Pete of Melbourne, FL; grandchildren include Alissa and husband, Josh Preston of Augusta GA, Austin Faulkner of Acworth GA, Danielle Leiker of Galva, KS, Mark, Meghan and Melanie Leiker of Pleasanton, TX; great grandchildren include Lilyth and Emery Huff, and his brother Wayne & wife Edith Leiker of Eldorado, KS.

He was preceded in death by his son Damon, his parents and five sisters, Junita Ruder, Darlene Kuhn, Wilma Engel, Donna Pfannenstiel, and Betty Jo Leiker.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a combined Daughters of Isabella rosary and parish vigil service at 7:00 pm and Thursday 9 AM – 9:30 AM all at Brock’s – Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory at 2509 Vine St. Hays, Kansas.

A funeral mass will be Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas and officiated by Fr. Fred Gatschet. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard at St. Francis Cemetery Munjor, KS where he will be laid to rest next to his son, Damon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to the Munjor – St. Francis Cemetery fund or the St. Joseph Rectory Remodeling Fund.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Harry E. Dechant, 89, Hays, died Sunday, March 19, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Home in Ellis.

He was born Emanuel Henry Aug. 10, 1927, in Antonino to Cornel and Ursula (Legleiter) Dechant.  After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946, he married Berniece Munsch of Schoenchen on Sept. 6, 1946, with whom he had 10 children.

He was a former wheat farmer, trucking company owner (Harry Dechant & Sons) and truck driver for Allied Inc., where he worked for more than 25 years.

He was a 4th degree knight with the Knights of Columbus and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays.  

Survivors include three sons: Ronald (Roxie), Dodge City; Kerry (Karen), Aurora, OH; and Troy, Shawnee; six daughters: Geri Hamilton, El Dorado; Sandy Pennington (Dane), Superior, CO; Michelle Pinkall (Gary), Great Bend; Brenda Dechant (Becky Benoit), Phoenix; Carla Dechant (Juan Carlos Tobar), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; and Kristal Dechant, Victoria; a brother: Virgil Dechant (Ann), Leawood; two sisters: Peggy Norris, Russell, and Rosie Giesick, Wakeeney; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife; an infant son, Cornelius; his parents; three brothers: Emerald, LaVerne and Donnie; and five sisters: Bernice Schaffer, Annie Meder, Delores Dechant, Carol Werth and Jeanette Misegadis.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial with military honors by the Hays Veterans of Foreign Wars #9076 Honor Guard will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. A rosary begins at 5:30 p.m. and a combined vigil/eulogy at 6.30 p.m. on Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel.

Memorials are suggested in his name to the Pontifical College Josephinum or to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Please give or send them to Hays Memorial Chapel, 1906 Pine St., Hays, KS 67601 so they may be acknowledged then sent to the respective designee.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.haysmemorial.com.

Wichita, Kansas – Thomas J. Becker, age 41, former Hays, Kansas, resident died Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Wichita, Kansas.

He was born November 28, 1975, in Hays, Kansas, to John E. and Wanda Jane (Schuckman) Becker. He married Sara Beth (Skerbetz) on September 10, 2014, in St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

He was a foreman at Kansas Fencing Company in Wichita, Kansas, and has worked their for three years. He has lived in Wichita since 2011. He was a 1994 graduate of Hays High School and served an internship at Sunflower Bank in Hays and worked there for a few years. He enjoyed woodworking, cooking, the outdoors, helping others and spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Sara Becker, Wichita, KS; one step daughter, Macie Elswick, Wichita, KS; one step grandson, Carson Dale Rowell; his parents, John E. and Wanda Jane Becker, Hays, KS; one brother, Tony Becker, Colby, KS; eleven uncles, James Becker and wife, Julie, Ron Becker and wife, Deb, Gail Becker and wife ,Diane, all of Plainville, KS; Charles Becker and wife, Jan, Frontenac, KS; Bill Becker and wife, Michel, Las Vegas NV, Joe Becker and wife, Linda, Jerry Becker and wife, Darcie both of Hays, KS; Don Becker and wife, Kim, Albany, Georgia; Glenn Schuckman, Russell, KS; Ron Schuckman, Hays, KS; John Schuckman Jr., Salina, KS; six aunts, Mona Hoisington and husband, Don, Paradise, KS; Betty Burgess and husband, Rex, Barbara Wagner and husband, Pat, both of Plainville, KS; Ann Kreller and husband, Mark, Orlando FL; Cindy Reed, Russell, KS; Tricia Bieker and husband, Blake, Hays, KS.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Louis and Katherine Becker; John and Frances Schuckman; and his uncle and aunt, Bill and Kathy Herman.

Services are at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 24, 2017, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. A private family inurnment will be at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays. Memorial to the donors choice.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via
email to [email protected].

Machelle M. (Scarrow) Peace passed away March 17, 2017 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 56. Machelle was born on November 5, 1960 to Ronald Von and Sharon Kay (Heath) Scarrow. She was married to Jeffrey Jay Peace on October 17, 1998 at the Main Street Christian Church in Stockton, Kansas.

Machelle enjoyed working at the nursing home where she was an LPN. She also enjoyed cooking, crocheting and gardening. She would get upset if the dogs, chickens or goats got into her flower beds. The highlights of her Christian faith were the mission trips to Belize, El Salvador, and Nicaragua which she was able to go on through the Emmanuel Foursquare Church in Salina which she attended once a month. She also was a member of the First Christian Church in Plainville.

Machelle is survived by her husband Jeffrey Jay Peace of the home in Plainville; sons Jed Peace also of the home in Plainville and Garrison Peace of Zurich; daughters Rachel Kinsey of Kansas City, MO and Jestine Peace of Speed; father Von Scarrow of Lindsborg; brother Bob Oliva and wife Kerri of Silver Lake; Sisters Marcie Barton and husband Terry of Port Lavaca, TX, Charlene Frazier and husband Randy of Salina, Cindy Edwards and husband Gary of Derby, Shannon Schaefer and husband Jerry of Schulenburg, TX and Sheryl Kollman and husband Jack of Stockton.

She was preceded in death by her mother Sharon Scarrow.

Machelle was a hardworking woman who showed her love by serving and caring for her family, friends, and patients. With the same love and patience required to grow her gardens, she planted in each one of us the seeds of faith, hope, and love. Through her daily example, she showed us that the greatest of these is love. Although Machelle will be sorely missed, she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her best, for she was greatly loved.

A funeral service will be held at the First Christian Church in Plainville, Kansas on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will also be Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Burial will follow in the Stockton Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Emmanuel Foursquare Church, First Christian Church, or Hays Hospice and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW Second, Plainville, KS 67663.